ASSEMBLY OF VALVES WITH A COMMON MOTORIZED ACTUATION DEVICE

Abstract

The present invention relates to an assembly (10) for controlling valves (12) comprising a plate (26) equipped with at least two rotary actuating units (17) intended to control at least two valves (12) respectively, and equipped with a motorized actuating device (14) common to each rotary actuating unit (17), each rotary actuating unit (17) comprising at least one toothed actuating wheel (24) intended to be driven in rotation about a first axis of rotation (R1) and in two opposite directions of rotation (S1, S2) by the motorized actuating device (14). Figure for the abstract: 1

Description

Title of the invention: VALVE ASSEMBLY WITH COMMON MOTORIZED ACTUATING DEVICE Technical field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the control of valves and in particular the control of the opening and closing of valves. Technical background

[0002] Valves are commonly used in many installations, such as air conditioning and refrigeration installations. Such valves make it possible, among other things, to regulate the passage of a fluid by, for example, modifying the size of a fluid inlet orifice within the valve. The valves thus participate in regulating the flow rate of fluids within these installations. To do this, the valves are generally each associated with at least one motorized actuating device, ensuring their control.

[0003] However, such individually controlled valves have the disadvantage of being expensive to produce since they each require the use of a motorized actuation device including, for example, a motor, for their control. In addition, the use of a motorized actuation device for each of the valves represents a significant bulk in the installations in which they are integrated.

[0004] Thus, the invention aims to solve the aforementioned problems by proposing a set of several valves having a common motorized actuation device.

[0005] The invention then makes it possible to reduce the production costs of such assemblies and also makes it possible to reduce the size of these assemblies by reducing the number of motorized actuating devices necessary for their control. Summary of the invention

[0006] The invention proposes an assembly for controlling valves comprising a plate equipped with at least two rotary actuating units provided for controlling at least two valves respectively and equipped with a motorized actuating device common to each rotary actuating unit, each rotary actuating unit comprising at least one toothed actuating wheel intended to be driven in rotation around a first axis of rotation and in two opposite directions of rotation, the motorized actuating device comprising at least:

[0007] - a motor shaft around which are coaxially mounted a rotating member and a toothed motor wheel, the motor shaft being rotatable around a second axis of rotation in both directions of rotation, the rotating member and the motor wheel being linked rotating with the motor shaft each following the first direction of rotation or the second direction of rotation,

[0008] - at least one gear comprising at least a first toothed wheel and a second toothed wheel linked in rotation and arranged tangentially at least to the drive wheel and such that at least one of the first toothed wheel or the second toothed wheel is capable of driving in rotation the toothed actuating wheel of one of the valves,

[0009] the rotary member being configured such that it has at least three distinct angular positions along the second axis of rotation, in which a first angular position of the rotary member causes the gear to move so as to rotate a toothed actuating wheel of one of the valves in the second direction of rotation, a second angular position of the rotary member causes the gear to move so as to rotate a toothed actuating wheel of one of the valves in the first direction of rotation and a third angular position of the rotary member causes rotational immobilization of the toothed actuating wheel of the valve in question.

[0010] According to other characteristics of the invention: - the rotary member is a cam, the cam being rotationally connected to the motor shaft in the first direction of rotation of the motor shaft and rotationally decoupled in the second direction of rotation of the motor shaft, and the motor wheel being rotationally connected to the motor shaft in the second direction of rotation and rotationally decoupled from the motor shaft in the first direction of rotation, the cam having a substantially circular shape delimited by an external peripheral edge and comprising a peripheral control surface,

[0011] the motorized actuating device comprising at least two gears, each of the gears comprising the first toothed wheel and the second toothed wheel, linked in rotation and arranged tangentially to the cam and the drive wheel, each of the gears being associated with one of the toothed actuating wheels of one of the valves such that:

[0012] at least the first toothed wheel of each of the gears is rotationally linked to the toothed actuating wheel of the associated valve,

[0013] o the first toothed wheel and the second toothed wheel of each of the gears are movable in translation in radial directions, relative to the motor shaft between an active position in which the first toothed wheel or the second toothed wheel is engaged by the motor wheel, and a passive position in which the first toothed wheel or the second toothed wheel is decoupled from the motor wheel,

[0014] the cam being configured such that the first angular position of the cam positions the first toothed wheel in the active position, the second angular position of the cam positions the second gear in the active position, and the third angular position of the cam positions the first gear and the second gear in the passive position; - the peripheral control surface of the cam is a peripheral clearance of material forming a notch; - each of the first toothed wheel and the second toothed wheel of each of the gears is associated in rotation respectively with a first shaft and a second shaft, the plate comprising oblong slots in which one of the first or second shafts extends and in such a way as to allow the radial displacement of said shafts relative to the plate and along the second axis of rotation; - the assembly comprises at least one translationally movable support configured to support at least the first toothed wheel and the second toothed wheel of at least one of the gears and in such a way that it allows the radial translational movement of the first shaft and the second shaft in their respective oblong slot; - the support comprises at least one lug which extends opposite one of the toothed wheels carried by the support and in such a way that said lug is in contact with the external peripheral edge of the cam; - each of the first toothed wheels of each of the gears is carried by the support and by a finger allowing the radial translational movement of the first shaft in the associated oblong slot, the finger comprising at least one lug which extends radially such that it is in contact with the external peripheral edge of the cam; - the lug of the support extends radially opposite the second toothed wheel and the lug of the finger extends radially opposite the first toothed wheel of each of the gears; - with respect to one of the gears, the first angular position of the cam corresponds to the contact of the notch of the cam with the lug of the finger; the second angular position of the cam corresponds to the contact of the notch of the cam with the lug of the support, and the third angular position of the cam corresponds to the contact of the external peripheral edge of the cam, distinct from the notch, with the lug of the support and the lug of the finger; - the motorized actuating device comprises at least one elastic support element arranged in tangential contact at least with the support of the toothed wheels so as to press said support against the external peripheral edge of the cam; - the elastic support element is a leaf spring.

[0015] The invention also relates to a method for controlling an assembly according to any one of the preceding characteristics, comprising at least:

[0016] - a preliminary step of selecting the rotary actuation unit and the direction of desired rotation of the associated toothed drive wheel,

[0017] - a first step during which the motor shaft is rotated according to the first direction of rotation so as to angularly move the cam around the second axis of rotation according to the first direction of rotation following one of its angular positions, depending on the desired direction of rotation of the toothed actuating wheel of the preliminary step,

[0018] - then a second step during which the motor shaft is driven in rotation according to the second direction of rotation so as to rotate the motor wheel according to the second direction of rotation and thus rotate the toothed actuating wheel of the rotary actuating unit of the preliminary step according to the first direction of rotation or the second direction of rotation chosen in the preliminary step and via the angular position of the cam of the first step. Brief description of the figures

[0019] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear during the reading of the detailed description which follows for the understanding of which reference will be made to the appended drawings in which:

[0020] [Fig-1] is a general perspective view of an assembly comprising four valves and a common motorized actuating device according to the invention;

[0021] [Fig.2] is an exploded perspective view of the assembly of [Fig.l] showing a portion of the motorized actuator device;

[0022] [Fig.3] is a top view of the assembly of [Fig.l] which illustrates a motor wheel and gears of the motorized actuator device and their cooperation with a rotary actuator unit of each of the valves;

[0023] [Fig.4] is a top view of the assembly of [Fig.l] in which the drive wheel and gears have been removed to illustrate a cam of the motorized actuator device involved in controlling the rotary actuator unit of each of the valves;

[0024] [Fig.5] is a sectional view along a plane AA of the assembly of [Fig.l] which shows the arrangement of the gears and a motor shaft of the motorized actuating device;

[0025] [Fig.6] is a sectional view along a plane BB of the assembly of [Fig.l] which shows the arrangement of the valves and their rotary actuating unit;

[0026] [Fig.7a] is a detail view of the cam of the motorized actuating device when it is positioned in a first angular position;

[0027] [Fig.7b] is a detail view of the cam of the motorized actuating device when it is positioned in a second angular position;

[0028] [Fig.7c] is a detail view of the cam of the motorized actuating device when it is positioned in a third angular position;

[0029] [Fig.8a] is a detail view of the motor wheel of the motorized actuating device, of one of the gears and their cooperation when the cam of the motorized actuating device is in the first angular position of [Fig.7a];

[0030] [Fig.8b] is a detail view of the motor wheel of the motorized actuation device, of one of the gears and their cooperation when the cam of the motorized actuation device is in the second angular position of [Fig.7b];

[0031] [Fig.8c] is a detailed view of the motor wheel of the motorized actuating device, one of the gears and their cooperation when the cam of the motorized actuating device is in the third angular position of [Fig.7c]. Detailed description of the invention

[0032] For the description of the invention and the understanding of the claims, the vertical, longitudinal and transverse orientations according to the reference V, L, T indicated in the figures, the longitudinal L and transverse T axes of which extend in a horizontal plane, will be adopted as a non-limiting example and without limiting reference to Earth's gravity.

[0033] In the following description, identical, similar or analogous elements will be designated by the same reference numbers.

[0034] [Fig.l] illustrates an assembly 10 according to an example of the invention, comprising four valves 12 and a common motorized actuating device 14.

[0035] According to the example of the invention illustrated, the assembly 10 comprises four valves 12, but it is understood that the invention applies mutatis mutandis to an assembly 10 comprising at least two or more valves 12.

[0036] The valves 12 according to the illustrated example of the invention, and visible in Figures 2 and 6, each comprise at least one main body 16 which extends in a vertical main elongation direction V, and a rotary actuating unit 17.

[0037] More particularly, each rotary actuating unit 17 comprises at least one shaft 18 which extends vertically in the main body 16. The shaft 18 defines a first axis of rotation RI and is capable of being driven in rotation in a housing 20.

[0038] The shaft 18 is in particular in screw-nut connection with a control member 22 for the passage of a fluid.

[0039] More precisely, the main body 16 of the valve 12 comprises at least one inlet opening and one outlet opening, not visible here, for the fluid in the main body 16 of the valve 12, the passage or not of the fluid through said openings being controlled by the control member 22 for the passage of the fluid. Even more precise, the control member 22 of the fluid passage is intended to translate vertically in the main body 16 so as to open or close more or less the inlet opening and the outlet opening of the fluid.

[0040] It is then understood that the rotation of the shaft 18 in its housing 20 causes the vertical translation of the fluid passage control member 22 to which it is connected by the screw-nut connection.

[0041] Furthermore, it is understood that the rotation of the shaft 18 around the first axis of rotation RI, in a first direction of rotation SI or a second direction of rotation S2, visible in [Fig. 3], translates the fluid passage control member 22 respectively in a first direction of translation T1 or a second direction of translation T2, opposite to each other in the vertical direction V and visible in [Fig. 6].

[0042] Thus, the first direction of translation T1 moves the control member 22 so as to open the fluid inlet opening and the second direction of translation T2 moves the control member 22 so as to close the fluid inlet opening.

[0043] According to a non-limiting example of the invention, the first direction of rotation S1 corresponds to a clockwise direction and the second direction of rotation S2 corresponds to an anti-clockwise direction.

[0044] Furthermore, each rotary actuating unit 17 comprises at least one toothed actuating wheel 24 linked in rotation with the shaft 18 and thus intended to be driven in rotation around the first axis of rotation RI.

[0045] More precisely, according to an advantageous embodiment, the transmission of the torque between the toothed actuating wheel 24 and the shaft 18 is carried out by a magnetic connection.

[0046] For example and in a non-limiting manner, each toothed actuating wheel 24 may comprise a magnetized internal portion intended to cooperate magnetically with an internal rotor, linked in rotation with the shaft 18, the internal rotor comprising a magnetized external peripheral portion.

[0047] A non-magnetized metal wall then covers at least the rotor so as to fluidly isolate each of the toothed actuating wheels 24 of each of the valves 12 at least from the rotor and the associated shaft 18.

[0048] Such a magnetic connection between the toothed actuating wheels and the rotors advantageously makes it possible to limit friction between the latter and also improves the sealing of the valves.

[0049] It is understood that each of the toothed actuating wheels 24 of each of the rotary actuating units 17 is capable of being driven in rotation around the first axis of rotation RI, according to the first direction of rotation SI and the second direction of rotation S2 mentioned previously.

[0050] It should also be considered that the valves as described could take other forms and present, for example and in a non-limiting manner, a pivoting control member instead of sliding in vertical translation as described above.

[0051] As can be seen in Figures 1 to 5, the motorized actuation device 14 is mounted on a plate 26. More precisely, the motorized actuation device 14 as well as the toothed actuation wheel 24 of each of the rotary actuation units 17 are mounted on the plate 26.

[0052] The plate 26 extends in particular in a transverse plane T and a longitudinal plane L. According to the example illustrated, the plate 26 has a shape substantially of a quadrilateral but it is understood that it can take any other shape in a non-limiting manner, as long as this allows it to support at least the motorized actuation device 14 and the toothed actuation wheels 24 of the valves 12.

[0053] It is further understood that the plate 26 forms a cover which closes a housing 27 in which are housed at least the main body 16 of the valves 12 and the associated fluid inlet and outlet conduits.

[0054] Thus, it is also understood that the plate 26 comprises at least through openings, here circular, through which each of the shafts 18 of the rotary actuating units 17 extend, such that the toothed actuating wheels 24 extend on the plate 26, and vertically opposite the housing 27 housing the main bodies 16 of the valves 12.

[0055] Furthermore, a cover, not visible, can be arranged to cover the plate, opposite the housing, so as to protect the various rotary actuation units and the motorized actuation device.

[0056] The motorized actuating device 14 according to the example of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, comprises at least one motor shaft 28, a cam 30, a toothed motor wheel 32 and four gears 34.

[0057] The motor shaft 28, particularly visible in [Fig. 5], extends vertically and substantially in the center of the plate 26 through a through opening formed in the plate 26.

[0058] The motor shaft 28 is rotatable about a second vertical axis of rotation R2, parallel to the first axis of rotation RI of each of the toothed actuating wheels 24 mentioned previously.

[0059] The motor shaft 28 is notably configured to be driven in rotation in the first direction of rotation S1 and the second direction of rotation S2 mentioned previously, around its second axis of rotation R2.

[0060] It is understood in particular that the motor shaft 28 is connected to an actuator, not visible, for example an electric motor, ensuring its rotation.

[0061] The cam 30 and the toothed motor wheel 32 are mounted coaxially on the shaft engine 28.

[0062] It is understood in particular that the cam 30 and the motor wheel 32 are mounted around the motor shaft 28 while being superimposed on each other along the second axis of rotation R2.

[0063] In the illustrated example of the invention, the cam 30 and the motor wheel 32 are superimposed vertically such that the cam 30 extends vertically between the motor wheel 32 and the plate 26.

[0064] Thus, it is understood that the motor shaft 28 passes through the through opening formed in the plate 26 in such a way that it extends on either side of said plate 26, in the vertical direction V, and at least partly in the housing 27. Furthermore, the cam 30 and the motor wheel 32 are mounted around the motor shaft 28 in such a way that they extend on the plate 26 vertically opposite the housing 27.

[0065] According to a characteristic of the invention, the motor shaft 28 comprises at least two one-way rotation systems 36, each associated with the cam 30 or the motor wheel 32. Here, a first one-way rotation system 36a is associated with the cam 30, and a second one-way rotation system 36b is associated with the motor wheel 32.

[0066] Each of the one-way rotation systems 36 is configured to be rotated with the motor shaft 28 in a single direction of rotation of the latter. In other words, the first one-way rotation system 36a is configured to be rotationally connected to the motor shaft 28 when it is driven in the first direction of rotation S1 and rotationally decoupled from the motor shaft 28 when it is rotated in the second direction of rotation S2, while the second one-way rotation system 36b is configured to be rotationally connected to the motor shaft 28 when it is rotated in the second direction of rotation S2 and is rotationally decoupled from the motor shaft 28 when it is rotated in the first direction of rotation S1.

[0067] In other words, the cam 30 associated with the first one-way rotation system 36a is driven in rotation only in the first direction of rotation S1 by the motor shaft 28 via the first one-way rotation system 36a, and the motor wheel 32 is driven in rotation only in the second direction of rotation S2 by the motor shaft 28 via the second one-way rotation system 36b.

[0068] It is then understood that the cam 30 and the motor wheel 32 are dissociated in rotation around the motor shaft 28.

[0069] According to non-limiting examples of the invention, the one-way rotation systems may be freewheels, ratchet wheels or ratchet wheels.

[0070] The cam 30, particularly visible in [Fig.4], has the shape of a disc delimited by an external peripheral edge 38.

[0071] The cam 30 comprises, among other things, a peripheral control surface 40 taking here, and in a non-limiting manner, the shape of a peripheral clearance 40 of material formed on its external peripheral edge 38, so as to form a notch 40.

[0072] In the remainder of the description, the external peripheral edge 38 which extends outside the notch 40 will be distinguished as a contact edge 39, and the external peripheral edge 38 at the level of the notch 40, hereinafter called notch 40.

[0073] A bottom 41 of the notch 40 is then defined from which two inclined surfaces 43 extend, joining the contact edge 39 mentioned above. It is then understood that the bottom 41 of the notch is radially offset from the contact edge 39 of the cam 30.

[0074] The function of such a notch 40 will be discussed later in the description.

[0075] Furthermore, the motor wheel 32 visible in [Fig.3], has a circular shape around the second axis of revolution of the motor shaft 28.

[0076] A first external diameter DI of the cam 30 is defined, taken outside its notch 40, and a second external diameter D2 of the driving wheel 32, taken up to the radial end of its teeth. According to a non-limiting example of the invention, the first external diameter DI and the second external diameter D2 are substantially identical.

[0077] As is particularly visible in Figures 3 and 4, the toothed actuating wheels 24 of the four valves 12 are arranged around the cam 30 and the motor wheel 32. More particularly, the toothed actuating wheels 24 are mounted on the plate 26 such that they are equidistant from each other around the cam 30 and the motor wheel 32.

[0078] Furthermore, it is notable that each of the toothed actuating wheels 24 of each of the valves 12 is at a non-zero radial distance from the external peripheral edge 38 of the cam 30 and the motor wheel 32. In other words, the toothed actuating wheels 24 are spaced a non-zero distance from the cam 30 and the motor wheel 32.

[0079] As mentioned previously, the motorized actuation device 14 comprises four gears 34, visible in FIGS. 2 to 4. It is understood in particular that each gear 34 is associated with one of the toothed actuation wheels 24 of one of the rotary actuation units 17 of one of the valves 12 of the assembly 10.

[0080] Each gear 34 comprises at least a first toothed wheel 42 associated with a first shaft 42a and a second toothed wheel 44 associated with a second shaft 44a, the first toothed wheel 42 and the second toothed wheel 44 being linked in rotation and arranged tangentially to the cam 30 and the motor wheel 32.

[0081] It is understood in particular that the first toothed wheel 42 and the second toothed wheel 44 of each of the gears 34 are linked in rotation respectively with the first shaft 42a and the second shaft 44a.

[0082] Thus, and in relation to [Fig.2], oblong slots 48 are defined, formed in the plate 26 and configured to each receive the first shaft 42a or the second shaft 44a of each of the first toothed wheel 42 or the second toothed wheel 44 of each of the gears 34.

[0083] In particular, each of the first shaft 42a and the second shaft 44a of each of the gears 34 extends through a first oblong slot 48a and a second oblong slot 48b respectively.

[0084] Each of the first shaft 42a and the second shaft 44a of each of the gears 34 extends on either side of the plate 26 and at least partly in the housing 27 mentioned above.

[0085] The oblong slots 48 extend mainly in a radial direction relative to the second axis of rotation R2 and in such a way as to allow the radial displacement of the first shaft 42a and the second shaft 44a relative to the plate 26.

[0086] In other words, the oblong slots 48 have a radial dimensioning allowing the radial displacement of the first shaft 42a or the second shaft 44a which they house, relative to the plate 26 and along the second axis of rotation R2.

[0087] It is further understood that the first toothed wheels 42 and the second toothed wheels 44 of each of the gears 34 extend on the plate 26, vertically opposite the housing 27.

[0088] Furthermore, in the example of the invention illustrated and in a non-limiting manner, the first toothed wheel 42 and the second toothed wheel 44 of each of the gears 34 are continuously linked in rotation to each other.

[0089] Also, the first toothed wheel 42 of each of the gears 34 is rotationally linked to the toothed actuating wheel 24 of the associated valve 12. It is then understood that the first toothed wheel 42 of each of the gears 34 is kinetically arranged between the second toothed wheel 44 of said gear 34 and the toothed actuating wheel 24 of the associated valve 12.

[0090] According to a characteristic of the invention, each of the gears 34 is associated with a support 46 movable in translation on the plate 26, and visible in FIGS. 2 and 4. The support 46 of each of the gears 34 is in particular arranged to cover at least the oblong slots 48 mentioned previously.

[0091] The support 46 also extends over the plate 26, vertically opposite the housing 27.

[0092] According to the example of the invention illustrated, the second toothed wheel 44 of each of the gears 34 is mounted on one of the movable supports 46. Furthermore, the first toothed wheel 42 of each of the gears 34 is mounted on a finger 52, the characteristics of which will be detailed later in the rest of the description.

[0093] The support 46 comprises in particular two passage orifices 47 of the first shaft 42a and of the second shaft 44a respectively, of the first toothed wheel 42 and of the second toothed wheel 44.

[0094] The passage orifices 47 of each of the supports 46 are notably formed in the support 46 in such a way that they extend opposite the oblong slots 48 mentioned previously.

[0095] Each of the second shafts 44a of each of the gears 34 then comprises at least one peripheral bead ensuring its vertical retention in its passage orifice formed on the support 46. The peripheral bead is notably formed in such a way that it does not hinder the rotation of said shaft in said passage orifice.

[0096] It is further understood that, although only the second toothed wheel 44 of each of the gears 34 is mounted on the support 46, the latter is crossed by both the first shaft 42a and the second shaft 44a.

[0097] An upper section 53a and a lower section 53b are then defined for each of the first shaft 42a and the second shaft 44a of each of the gears 34, which extend on either side of the support 46.

[0098] More precisely, the upper section 53a of each of the first shaft 42a and the second shaft 44a of each of the gears 34 correspond to the sections around which the first and second toothed wheels 42, 44 extend while the lower section 53b of each of the first shaft 42a and the second shaft 44a of each of the gears 34 correspond to the sections opposite with respect to the support 46 and which extend at least partly in the first oblong slots 48a and the second oblong slots 48b of the associated plate 26.

[0099] Each support 46 carrying the second toothed wheel 44 of each of the gears 34 is configured to move radially in translation along the second axis of rotation R2, so as to move the second toothed wheel 44 and its associated shaft 44a which they carry, in translation along this same axis.

[0100] It is then understood that the support 46 makes it possible on the one hand to maintain the shaft 44a of the associated second toothed wheel 44 vertically, relative to the plate 26 and on the other hand to move the second shaft 44a of the second toothed wheel 44 of each of the gears 34 in the associated oblong slot 48b formed in the plate 26.

[0101] The support 46 of each of the gears 34 then extends along a perimeter substantially identical to the toothed wheels 42, 44 of the gear 34 that it supports and in such a way that it forms at least one lug 50 which extends radially beyond the second associated toothed wheel 44.

[0102] More particularly, the lug 50 of each of the supports 46 extends radially such that it is in contact with the external peripheral edge 38 of the cam 30 such as visible in [Fig.4].

[0103] In the illustrated example of the invention, the lug 50 of each of the supports 46 extends radially opposite the second toothed wheel 44 of each of the gears 34.

[0104] According to the example of the invention illustrated, the support 46 is in the form of an L-shaped plate, one branch of which comprises the two passage orifices 47 for the shafts 42a, 44a, and the other branch forms the lug 50.

[0105] As particularly visible in figures 2 and 4, the movable finger 52 on which the first toothed wheel 42 is mounted, is mounted on the plate 26 around each of the shafts 18 of each of the valves 12.

[0106] The finger 52 associated with each of the shafts 18 of each of the valves 12 is in particular movable in rotation around the latter while being detached in rotation from said shaft 18, for example by a ball bearing.

[0107] In other words, the finger 52 moves in rotation around the shaft 18 of the associated valve 12, without being driven in rotation by said shaft 18.

[0108] It is understood in particular that the fingers 52 are each mounted around one of the shafts 18 and in such a way that they are separated in rotation from the latter.

[0109] Each of the fingers 52 then extends radially along the first axis of rotation RI towards the first toothed wheel 42 of each of the gears 34 and in such a way that the first shaft 42a of each of the first toothed wheels 42 extends through a hole 54 formed on each of the fingers 52.

[0110] It is then understood that the first shaft 42a of each of the first toothed wheels 42 of each of the gears 34 extends both through one of the passage orifices 47 of the support 46 and through the hole 54 of the associated finger 52, but that said first shaft 42a is mounted on the finger 52.

[0111] According to a non-limiting characteristic of the invention, a means for holding the first shaft 42a of each of the gears 34 vertically in the hole 54 of the finger 52 may be provided, such as a washer or even a peripheral bead as described previously for the second shaft 44a.

[0112] As visible in [Fig.4], each of the fingers 52 comprises a lug 56 which extends radially opposite the first toothed wheel 42 and towards the cam 30, along the second axis of rotation R2, and in such a way that said lug 56 is in contact with the external peripheral edge 38 of the cam 30.

[0113] The function of such lugs 50, 56 carried by the supports 46 and the fingers 52 will be detailed later in the description.

[0114] According to another characteristic of the invention visible in figures 3 and 4, the motorized actuating device 14 comprises four elastic support elements 58 arranged in tangential contact with the support 46 and with the finger 52 of each of the gears 34.

[0115] Each elastic support element 58 then comprises at least a first elastic arm 58a and a second elastic arm 58b which extend respectively in contact with the finger 52 and the support 46 and visible in FIGS. 7a to 7c.

[0116] More precisely, a contact surface 55 is defined for each of the fingers 52 and each of the supports 46, the contact surfaces 55 being radially opposite the lugs 50, 56 of their respective finger 52 or support 46, along the second axis of rotation R2.

[0117] Thus, the first elastic arm 58a of each of the elastic support elements 58 bears against the contact surface 55 of each of the fingers 52 and the second elastic arm 58b of each of the elastic support elements 58 bears against the contact surface 55 of each of the supports 46.

[0118] It is then understood that the elastic support elements 58 have the function of pressing each of the supports 46 and each of the fingers 52 carrying each of the gears 34 against the external peripheral edge 38 of the cam 30.

[0119] Furthermore, such elastic support elements 58 are also advantageous in that they make it possible to exert a force against the contact surfaces 55 sufficient to allow the rotational connection of one of the toothed wheels 42, 44 of one of the associated gears 34, with the driving wheel 32, despite tooth-to-tooth contact between said driving wheel 32 and said toothed wheel 42, 44 during the translational movement of said toothed wheel 42, 44, as mentioned above. In other words, the force exerted by the elastic arms 58a, 58b against the contact surfaces 55 ensures the sliding of the teeth of the wheels 32, 42, 44 in contact with each other so as to rotationally connect the driving wheel 32 with one of the toothed wheels 42, 44.

[0120] According to a non-limiting example of the invention, the elastic support element 58 is a leaf spring. The elastic support element 58 is for example secured to the plate 26 by screwing.

[0121] The support 46 and the finger 52 associated with each of the gears 34, and in particular the lugs 50, 56 which they carry, then have the function of radially separating the first toothed wheel 42 or the second toothed wheel 44 from the external peripheral edge 38 of the cam 30.

[0122] In other words, the lugs 50, 56 have the function of radially separating the toothed wheels 42, 44 from the motor wheel 32 so that said toothed wheels 42, 44 are released in rotation from the motor wheel 32 according to an angular position of the cam 30.

[0123] Thus, depending on the angular position of the cam 30 and in particular depending on the angular position of the notch 40 of the cam 30 relative to one of the gears 34, one of the toothed wheels 42, 44 carried by the movable support 46 and possibly by the finger 52, can switch from an active position to a passive position.

[0124] More precisely, the first toothed wheel 42 and the second toothed wheel 44 of each of the gears 34 are movable in radial translation relative to the motor shaft 28 between the active position in which the first toothed wheel 42 or the second toothed wheel 44 is rotationally engaged by the motor wheel 32, and the passive position in which the first toothed wheel 42 or the second toothed wheel 44 is decoupled from the motor wheel 32.

[0125] Such switching between the active position and the passive position is made possible in particular by the peripheral control surface 40 of the cam 30, here taking the form of the notch 40, which makes it possible to bring one of the toothed wheels 42, 44 radially closer to the motor wheel 32 by housing the lug 50, 56 of the support 46 or of the finger 52.

[0126] In other words, the notch 40 of the cam 30 makes it possible to house the lug 50, 56 of the support 46 or of the finger 52, putting one of the toothed wheels 42, 44 that it carries into tangential contact with the motor wheel 32, so that they are linked in rotation.

[0127] In other words, in the active position of the first toothed wheel 42 or of the second toothed wheel 44, the lug 56, 50 respectively of the finger 52 or of the support 46 is in contact with the bottom 41 of the notch 40 and in the passive position of the first toothed wheel 42 or of the second toothed wheel 44, the lug 56, 50 respectively of the finger 52 or of the support 46 is in contact with the contact edge 39 of the cam 30 mentioned previously.

[0128] Thus, the cam 30 is configured to take three distinct angular positions relative to each of the gears 34, the three distinct angular positions being visible in FIGS. 7a to 7c.

[0129] The operation and impact of each of the three angular positions of the cam 30 will now be described in relation to FIGS. 7a to 8c.

[0130] A first angular position of the cam 30 is defined, visible in [Fig.7a], corresponding to the radial alignment of the notch 40 of the cam 30 with the lug 56 of the finger 52.

[0131] Thus, in the first angular position of the cam 30, the lug 56 of the finger 52 carrying the first toothed wheel 42 is in contact with the bottom 41 of the notch 40 of the cam 30.

[0132] The lug 56 of the finger 52 is held in the notch 40 of the cam 30 in particular by means of the first elastic arm 58a of the elastic support element 58 which exerts a force against the contact surface 55 of the finger 52 and in the direction of the cam 30.

[0133] Furthermore, it is understood that the configuration of the oblong slots 48, in particular the configuration of the first oblong slot 48a housing the first shaft 42a of the first toothed wheel 42, allows the lug 56 of the finger 52 to be housed in the notch 40.

[0134] Such an arrangement of the lug 56 of the finger 52 in the notch 40 then reduces a radial distance separating the first toothed wheel 42 from the motor wheel 32.

[0135] Thus, the first angular position of the cam 30 positions the first toothed wheel 42 in its active position visible in [Fig.8a].

[0136] In other words, the housing of the lug 56 of the finger 52 in the notch 40 as visible in [Fig.7a], allows the rotational connection of the first toothed wheel 42 with the motor wheel 32, as visible in [Fig.8a].

[0137] Thus, the rotation of the motor wheel 32 in the second direction of rotation S2 drives the first toothed wheel 42 in rotation in the first direction of rotation S1 which itself drives the associated toothed actuating wheel 24 in rotation in the second direction of rotation S2.

[0138] Furthermore, in the first angular position of the cam 30, the lug 50 of the support 46 is in contact with the contact edge 39 of the cam 30 so that the radial distance between the second toothed wheel 44 and the motor wheel 32 is maintained. This makes it possible to prevent their rotational connection to each other as visible in [Fig.8a].

[0139] A second angular position of the cam 30 is defined, visible in [Fig.7b], and corresponding to the radial alignment of the notch 40 of the cam 30 with the lug 50 of the support 46.

[0140] It is then understood that between the first angular position of the cam 30 visible in [Fig.7a], and the second angular position of the cam 30, visible in [Fig.7b], said cam 30 has operated a rotation in the first direction of rotation SI.

[0141] Thus, when passing from the first angular position of the cam 30 to its second angular position, the lug 56 of the finger 52 comes into contact with one of the inclined surfaces 43 of the notch 40 so as to be guided outside said notch 40 to the contact edge 39 of the cam 30.

[0142] Also, when passing from the first angular position of the cam 30 to its second angular position, the lug 50 of the support 46 comes into contact with the other inclined surface 43 of the notch 40 so as to be guided towards the bottom 41 of the latter.

[0143] The movement of the lug 56 of the finger 52 from the bottom 41 of the notch 40 towards the contact edge 39 of the cam 30 then causes the first toothed wheel 42 to move in radial translation, by the radial movement of its first shaft 42a in the associated first oblong slot 48a.

[0144] It is then understood that in the second angular position of the cam 30, the first toothed wheel 42 is released in rotation from the motor wheel 32.

[0145] Furthermore, in the second angular position of the cam 30 and as visible in [Fig.7b], the housing of the lug 50 of the support 46 in the notch 40, generates the rotational connection of the second toothed wheel 44 with the motor wheel 32 as visible in [Fig.8b], and as previously described for the first gear wheel 42 in [Fig.8a].

[0146] Thus, in the second angular position of the cam 30, the motor wheel 28 driven in rotation in the second direction of rotation S2, drives the second toothed wheel 44 in rotation in the first direction of rotation SI, which itself drives the first toothed wheel in rotation in the second direction of rotation S2 to finally drive the toothed actuating wheel 24 in rotation in the first direction of rotation SI.

[0147] A third angular position of the cam 30 is defined, visible in [Fig.7c], corresponding to the radial alignment of the contact edge 39 of the cam 30 with the lugs 56, 50 of the finger 52 and of the support 46.

[0148] It is then understood that between the second angular position of the cam 30 visible in [Fig.7b] and the third angular position of the cam 30 visible in [Fig.7c], said cam 30 has rotated in the first direction of rotation SI.

[0149] Thus, when passing from the second angular position of the cam 30 to its third angular position, the lug 50 of the support 46 comes into contact with one of the inclined surfaces 43 of the notch 40 so as to be guided outside the notch 40 to the contact edge 39 of the cam 30.

[0150] It is understood that thus in the third angular position of the cam 30, the lugs 56, 50 of the finger 52 and of the support 46 are in contact with the contact edge 39 of the cam 30 so that the first toothed wheel 42 and the second toothed wheel 44 are both uncoupled in rotation from the drive wheel 32, as can be seen in [Fig.8c].

[0151] Thus, it is understood that in the third angular position of the cam 30, the toothed actuating wheel 24 is immobile in rotation.

[0152] It is further understood that the radial depth of the notch 40 of the cam 30 and that the radial depth of the lug 50, 56 of each of the supports 46 and fingers 52 are configured such that the housing of the lugs 50, 56 in the notch 40 makes it possible to connect in rotation the toothed wheels 42, 44 with the motor wheel 32 as can be seen in FIGS. 8a and 8b.

[0153] Advantage is thus taken of the supports 46 associated with the first toothed wheel 42 and the second toothed wheel 44 of each of the gears 34 in that they make it possible to maintain a constant center distance between the two toothed wheels 42, 44 of the same gear 34, without the latter becoming dissociated in rotation from one another despite the radial movement of one or other of the toothed wheels 42, 44 as mentioned previously.

[0154] Similarly, the first toothed wheel 42 of each of the gears 34 carried both by the support 46 and by the finger 52, ensures the constant rotational connection of said first gear wheel 42 with the gear drive wheel 24 and the second gear wheel 44 despite radial displacement of either the first gear wheel 42 or the second gear wheel 44.

[0155] Thus, the support 46 and the finger 52 of each of the gears 34 make it possible to maintain constant kinetic continuity between the toothed wheels 42, 44 and the associated toothed actuating wheel 24, despite the movements of the toothed wheels 42, 44 as mentioned previously.

[0156] Furthermore, during the radial displacement of one or the other of the first toothed wheel 42 or the second toothed wheel 44, it is understood that the support pivots around the first shaft 42a or the second shaft 44a.

[0157] The method of controlling the assembly 10 as described above will now be described using FIGS. 1 to 8c.

[0158] The method notably comprises a preliminary step during which one of the valves 12 is chosen to be controlled by the motorized actuation device 14. More particularly, during the preliminary step, the rotary actuation unit 17 to be controlled is selected, as well as the desired direction of rotation of the associated toothed actuation wheel 24.

[0159] It is understood in particular that the desired direction of rotation of the toothed actuating wheel 24 is determined according to the desired direction of translation T1, T2 of the control member 22 so as to open or close the fluid inlet opening of the chosen valve 12.

[0160] By control, we mean the fact that the toothed actuating wheel 24 associated with the chosen valve 12 is driven in rotation in one or the other of the first direction of rotation SI or the second direction of rotation S2 in order to authorize or not the passage of the fluid within it.

[0161] Subsequently, once the valve 12 has been chosen, the method comprises a first step during which the motor shaft 28 is rotated in the first direction of rotation S1 so as to angularly move the cam 30 around the second axis of rotation R2 in the first direction of rotation SL. More precisely, the cam 30 is moved in the first direction of rotation SI, radially opposite the gear 34 associated with the valve 12 chosen in the preliminary step.

[0162] Thus, it is understood that in the first step, the cam 30 is positioned, by the rotation of the motor shaft 28 according to its first direction of rotation SI, according to one or the other of its first angular position or its second angular position relative to the gear 30 associated with the valve 12 chosen in the preliminary step.

[0163] In this way, with respect to the gear 34 considered, the cam 30 is arranged in such a way that its notch 40 houses the lug 50 of the support 46 as visible in [Fig.7b], or the lug 56 of the finger 52 as visible in [Fig.7a].

[0164] Thus, it is understood that during this first step one or the other of the first toothed wheel 42 or the second toothed wheel 44 is radially brought closer to the motor wheel 32.

[0165] Once the angular position of the cam 30 has been defined and implemented, in a second step, the motor shaft 28 is rotated in the second direction of rotation S2 so as to rotate the motor wheel 32 around the second axis of rotation R2 in the second direction of rotation S2.

[0166] Thus, depending on the angular position of the cam 30, the motor wheel drives the first toothed wheel 42 in the first direction of rotation S1 as visible in [Fig.8a] or drives the second toothed wheel 44 in the first direction of rotation SI, as visible in [Fig.8b].

[0167] Thus, as mentioned previously, when the second toothed wheel 44 is rotated in the first direction of rotation SI, as visible in [Fig.8b], it rotates the first toothed wheel 42 in the second direction of rotation S2 which itself rotates the associated toothed actuating wheel 24 in the first direction of rotation SI.

[0168] It is also understood that in the case where the cam 30 is positioned in its first angular position, as visible in [Fig.7a], the implementation of the second step drives the first toothed wheel 42 in the first direction of rotation S1, having the effect of driving the toothed actuating wheel 24 in the second direction of rotation S2 as visible in [Fig.8a].

[0169] Thus, the second step makes it possible to open or close the fluid inlet opening in the valve 12 chosen in the preliminary step, according to the conditions mentioned above.

[0170] Subsequently, in a third step, another valve 12 of the assembly 10, distinct from the valve 12 of the preliminary step, is chosen to be controlled by the motorized actuating device 14.

[0171] Thus, in a fourth step, the cam 30 is arranged in its third angular position, visible in [Fig.7c], relative to the previous gear 34 of the first step and in its first angular position or second angular position relative to the gear 34 of the new valve 12 considered in the third step.

[0172] It is understood that in this way, each of the four valves 12 of the assembly 10 can be controlled alternatively by means of a single motorized actuating device 14.

[0173] It is also understood that the control of another valve 12 in the third step does not modify the configuration of the previous valve 12, controlled during the first and second steps. In other words, the motorized actuation device 14 according to the invention advantageously makes it possible to control several valves 12 without the piloting one of the valves 12 does not modify the determined position, open or closed, of a previous piloted valve 12.

[0174] The invention is however not limited to this configuration of the motorized actuation device and it should be considered that the gears could take another location on the plate as long as they allow the rotation of the toothed actuation wheel of each of the valves to be controlled alternatively.

Claims

Claims

1. Assembly (10) for controlling valves (12) comprising a plate (26) equipped with at least two rotary actuating units (17) provided for controlling respectively at least two valves (12) and equipped with a motorized actuating device (14) common to each rotary actuating unit (17), each rotary actuating unit (17) comprising at least one toothed actuating wheel (24) intended to be driven in rotation around a first axis of rotation (RI) and in two opposite directions of rotation (SI, S2), the motorized actuating device (14) comprising at least: - a motor shaft (28) around which are coaxially mounted a rotary member (30) and a toothed motor wheel (32), the motor shaft (28) being rotatable about a second axis of rotation (R2) in the two directions of rotation (SI, S2), the rotary member (30) and the motor wheel (32) being linked in rotation with the motor shaft (28) each in the first direction of rotation (SI) or the second direction of rotation (S2), - at least one gear (34) comprising at least a first toothed wheel (42) and a second toothed wheel (44) linked in rotation and arranged tangentially at least to the drive wheel (32) and such that at least one of the first toothed wheel (42) or the second toothed wheel (44) is capable of driving in rotation the toothed actuating wheel (24) of one of the valves (12), the rotary member (30) being configured such that it has at least three distinct angular positions along the second axis of rotation (R2), in which a first angular position of the rotary member (30) causes the gear (34) to move so as to rotate a toothed actuating wheel (24) of one of the valves (12) in the second direction of rotation (S2), a second angular position of the rotary member (30) causes the gear (34) to move so as to rotate a toothed actuating wheel (24) of one of the valves (12) in the first direction of rotation (S1) and a third angular position of the rotary member (30) causes the wheel to be immobilized in rotation toothed actuation (24) of the valve (12) in question.

2. An assembly (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the rotary member (30) is a cam (30), the cam (30) being rotationally connected to the motor shaft (28) in the first direction of rotation (S1) of the motor shaft (28) and rotationally decoupled in the second direction of rotation (S2) of the motor shaft (28), and the motor wheel (32) being rotationally connected to the motor shaft (28) in the second direction of rotation (S2) and rotationally decoupled from the motor shaft (28) in the first direction of rotation (S1), the cam (30) having a substantially circular shape delimited by an outer peripheral edge (38) and comprising a peripheral control surface (40), the motorized actuating device (14) comprising at least two gears (34), each of the gears (34) comprising the first toothed wheel (42) and the second toothed wheel (44), rotationally connected and arranged tangentially to the cam (30) and the drive wheel (32),each of the gears (34) being associated with one of the toothed actuating wheels (24) of one of the valves (12) such that:, • at least the first toothed wheel (42) of each of the gears (34) is rotationally linked to the toothed actuating wheel (24) of the associated valve (12), • the first toothed wheel (42) and the second toothed wheel (44) of each of the gears (34) are movable in translation in radial directions, relative to the motor shaft (28) between an active position in which the first toothed wheel (42) or the second toothed wheel (44) is engaged by the motor wheel (32), and a passive position in which the first toothed wheel (42) or the second toothed wheel (44) is decoupled from the motor wheel (32), the cam (30) being configured such that the first angular position of the cam (30) positions the first gear wheel (42) in the active position, the second angular position of the cam (30) positions the second gear wheel (44) in the active position, and the third angular position of the cam (30) positions the first gear wheel (42) and the second gear wheel (44) in the passive position.

3. An assembly (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the peripheral control surface (40) of the cam (30) is a peripheral clearance spherical material forming a notch (40).

4. An assembly (10) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein each of the first toothed wheel (42) and the second toothed wheel (44) of each of the gears (34) is associated in rotation respectively with a first shaft (42a) and a second shaft (44a), the plate (26) comprising oblong slots (48) in which one of the first or second shafts (42a, 44a) extends and in such a way as to allow the radial displacement of said shafts (42a, 44a) relative to the plate (26) and along the second axis of rotation (R2).

5. Assembly (10) according to claim 4, comprising at least one support (46) movable in translation configured to support at least the first toothed wheel (42) and the second toothed wheel (44) of at least one of the gears (34) and such that it allows the displacement in radial translation of the first shaft (42a) and of the second shaft (44a) in their respective oblong slot (48).

6. Assembly (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the support (46) comprises at least one lug (50) which extends opposite one of the toothed wheels (42, 44) carried by the support (46) and such that said lug (50) is in contact with the external peripheral edge (38) of the cam (30).

7. Assembly (10) according to the preceding claim, in which each of the first toothed wheels (42) of each of the gears (34) is carried by the support (46) and by a finger (52) allowing the radial translational movement of the first shaft (42a) in the associated oblong slot (48), the finger (52) comprising at least one lug (56) which extends radially such that it is in contact with the external peripheral edge (38) of the cam (30).

8. Assembly (10) according to claims 6 and 7, in which the lug (50) of the support (46) extends radially opposite the second toothed wheel (44) and the lug (56) of the finger (52) extends radially opposite the first toothed wheel (42) of each of the gears (34).

9. An assembly (10) according to claims 4 to 8, wherein, relative to one of the gears (34), the first angular position of the cam (30) corresponds to the contact of the notch (40) of the cam (30) with the lug (56) of the finger (52), the second angular position of the cam (30) corresponds to the contact of the notch (40) of the cam (30) with the lug (50) of the support (46), and the third angular position of the cam (30) corresponds to the contact of the external peripheral edge (38) of the cam (30), distinct from the notch (40), with the lug (50) of the support (46) and the lug (56) of the finger (52).

10. Assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims in combination with claim 5, in which the motorized actuating device (14) comprises at least one elastic support element (58) arranged in tangential contact at least with the support (46) of the toothed wheels (42, 44) so as to press said support (46) against the external peripheral edge (38) of the cam (30).

11. Assembly (10) according to the preceding claim, in which the elastic support element (58) is a leaf spring.

12. Method for controlling an assembly (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 11, comprising at least: - a preliminary step of selecting the rotary actuating unit (17) and the desired direction of rotation (SI, S2) of the associated toothed actuating wheel (24), - a first step during which the motor shaft (28) is rotated in the first direction of rotation (SI) so as to angularly move the cam (30) around the second axis of rotation (R2) in the first direction of rotation (SI) according to one of its angular positions, depending on the desired direction of rotation (SI, S2) of the toothed actuating wheel (24) of the preliminary step,- then a second step during which the motor shaft (28) is rotated in the second direction of rotation (S2) so as to rotate the motor wheel (32) in the second direction of rotation (S2) and thus rotate the toothed actuating wheel (24) of the rotary actuating unit (17) of the preliminary step in the first direction of rotation (SI) or the second direction of rotation (S2) chosen in the preliminary step and via the angular position of the cam (30) of the first step.,

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